Over the past sixty years Surf Life Saving Australia has taught six (6) different methods of resuscitation – Schafer, Holger Neilsen, Eve Rocker, Expired Air Resuscitation, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Oxygen Resuscitation.

The first two methods involved the patient in a face down position with the operator applying pressure on the back in a rocking motion. Both methods had an expiration and inspiration phase. Both required a set number of movements per minute. 

The Eve Rocker method involved the patient being strapped to a stretcher face down. The stretcher was then placed on a trestle where again a rocking motion was employed.

 As an adjunct to the Eve Rocker method carbon dioxide gas was introduced which was given with the patient in an upright position. The gas bottle held 12 ¾ litres of gas which lasted six minutes.

In 1961 Dr Roger Bennett, SLSQ Medical Officer, recommended to a World Conference on resuscitation in Sydney the introduction of Expired Air Resuscitation.

To prove Expired air Resuscitation would work Dr Bennett and Professor Tess Crammond (nee Brophy) arranged for four “guinea pigs” in the form of surf life savers to be anaesthetised with Sodium Pentalhal. The “guinea pigs” were Earle Smith – Kirra, Bruce Campbell – Metropolitian Caloundra, Alan Doig – Burleigh, Jack Dearlove – Mooloolaba.  The world owes a huge debt to these men.

When approved all life savers were trained in EAR. Many life savers went onto train the community through various clubs and schools.  It was a high effort by S.L.S.A. There is no doubt EAR has been the most successful resuscitation taught to life saves and has saved lives. 

Since 1961 SLSA has continued to look at ways to improve our life saving skills. 

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation was introduced in the early 1970’s. Another improvement has been the training of life savers in the use of oxygen. Another huge step.

Further, the introduction of the defibrillator in 2000 to restart the heart has been a large  vote of confidence in surf life savers. For many years Surf Life Saving Australia has lead the world in the teaching of resuscitation.